UK lays keel for first Fleet Solid Support ship RFA Resurgent at Appledore
Navantia UK laid the keel of RFA Resurgent at its Appledore yard in Devon, marking the formal start of assembly for the first of three Fleet Solid Support vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The milestone occurred ahead of the original schedule, with reports indicating the Ministry of Defence has requested accelerated delivery. The second and third vessels were named RFA Reliant and RFA Resourceful at the same ceremony.
Why it matters: Britain finally has steel in the water for ships it should have ordered a decade ago — and the yard is being asked to move faster, a signal that political patience with the navy's auxiliary gap has run out.
Navantia UKRoyal Fleet AuxiliaryUK Ministry of DefenceUnited Kingdom Naval News →UK Defence Journal →Navy Lookout →